Re: Where Did Literary James Bond Really Live?

I was born in Markham Sq and we still have the same house. It’s not big and open ended as the author of that article states, and it’s hardly much bigger than Wellington Sq. It doesn’t however have Plane trees. Carlyle Sq is a lovely place to live, but it’s exact description doesn’t match the detail in Flemings books. Like steps going up to the front door. Wellington Sq is still the one. The internal bay window argument holds water.

Re: Where Did Literary James Bond Really Live?

osris wrote:

Incidentally, does anyone know why SPECTRE never went to his house to try and kill him, seeing as he lived unprotected and unhidden?

in Fleming's From Russia With Love, SMERSH has a man checking on Bond's house every couple of days, using the ruse of selling teevee sets, just to make sure Bond doesn't go anywhere before he gets the invitation to Instanbul from Tatiana.

But generally, Bond is a secret agent … he isn't supposed to exist, and ideally most evil organisations wouldn't think to look for the house of a man who doesn't exist.

Re: Where Did Literary James Bond Really Live?

In Devil May Care, wasn't there also an attempt on Bond after leaving his flat in his Bentley? Agents like Bond who have enemy dossiers on them are as vulnerable as a force's willingness to extend itself in such a attack and bear whatever repercussion it causes. Especially with today's information technology, I think there's a delicate equilibrium of friendly and hostile intel that keeps security service personnel reasonably safe; I think of these Navy SEALs for example, notorious for executing high profile missions but who suddenly experience fame. What a way to live, yet they still seem to carry on and with families no less.

"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....

Re: Where Did Literary James Bond Really Live?

caractacus potts wrote:

osris wrote:

Incidentally, does anyone know why SPECTRE never went to his house to try and kill him, seeing as he lived unprotected and unhidden?

in Fleming's From Russia With Love, SMERSH has a man checking on Bond's house every couple of days, using the ruse of selling teevee sets, just to make sure Bond doesn't go anywhere before he gets the invitation to Instanbul from Tatiana.

But generally, Bond is a secret agent … he isn't supposed to exist, and ideally most evil organisations wouldn't think to look for the house of a man who doesn't exist.

Yes, but as you say SMERSH knew about it and so would SPECTRE presumably. Not all enemies of the state would, though. Only the ones he'd hurt and who would want revenge.

Re: Where Did Literary James Bond Really Live?

superado wrote:

In Devil May Care, wasn't there also an attempt on Bond after leaving his flat in his Bentley? Agents like Bond who have enemy dossiers on them are as vulnerable as a force's willingness to extend itself in such a attack and bear whatever repercussion it causes. Especially with today's information technology, I think there's a delicate equilibrium of friendly and hostile intel that keeps security service personnel reasonably safe; I think of these Navy SEALs for example, notorious for executing high profile missions but who suddenly experience fame. What a way to live, yet they still seem to carry on and with families no less.

Also, MI6 could create false cover addresses for its most vulnerable agents, while really housing them in secret and remote places that are well secured.